Jan Breytenbach

Jan Dirk Breytenbach

DVR SD SM MMM
Born(1932-07-14)14 July 1932
Died16 June 2024(2024-06-16) (aged 91)
George, South Africa
Allegiance South Africa
 United Kingdom[1]
Years of service
RankColonel
Unit1 Parachute Battalion
Commands
  • 1 Reconnaissance Commando
  • 32 Battalion
  • 44 Parachute Brigade
Battles / wars
AwardsVan Riebeeck Decoration DVR Southern Cross Decoration SD Southern Cross Medal SM Military Merit Medal MMM Pro Patria Medal (South Africa) ' Southern Africa Medal ' General Service Medal (South Africa) ' Good Service Medal ' Good Service Medal ' Good Service Medal ' Naval General Service Medal (1915) '[2]
Other workAuthor

Jan Dirk Breytenbach DVR SD SM MMM[3] (14 July 1932 – 16 June 2024) was a South African Special Forces military officer and author of military books. He is best known as the first commander of 1 Reconnaissance Commando, South Africa's first special forces unit. In his long career, he served in the Suez Crisis, the Biafran War, the South African Border War, and the Angolan Civil War, and attained the rank of colonel before his retirement. He died on 16 June 2024, at the age of 91.[4]

  1. ^ a b "Authors – Col. Jan Breytenbach". The Galago Publishing Company. Archived from the original on 26 October 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference SAMagte was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Els, Paul J. (2010). We conquer from above. PelsA Books. ISBN 978-0-620-46738-4.
  4. ^ "Recce legend Colonel (Ret) Jan Breytenbach passes". George Herald. 16 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.